Author's note: thank you for the reviews... :)

August

Chapter Eleven: Writing A New Page

"I hate it when you wince like that."

The remark made Maura smile before a slight discomfort passed underneath her skin. Not because she was in pain but because Jane felt sorry for it. She shrugged, her cheeks turning red.

"The sensation isn't a pleasing one."

Very carefully – not at ease – the Italian approached her wife and extended her arm until a few shaking fingers came to brush Maura's hip right on the spot where the needle had pierced her skin. It was red, slightly blue. Slowly, Jane bent over and planted a kiss there she hoped comforting. The gesture – unexpected – made the honey blonde laugh quietly.

"Do you want to try, next time? Do you want me to teach you how to make an injection on my hip?" Indirect question. The truth was that since she had started the whole procedure – for the second time – Maura hadn't stopped thinking about the possibility of another failure. And perhaps – if it happened – then it wouldn't be a bad thing if Jane gave it a try. It might work better on the Italian.

Jane opened wide eyes and visibly panicked shook her head vehemently. "You are not some sort of Guinea pig, Maura. There is no way I try anything like that on you. Especially if it does hurt, as you say."

The scientist offered an apologetic smile and proceeded to tidy up her kit before lying down on her back. Her body got welcome by smooth pillows, a soft mattress. She had never liked staying in bed so much but things had changed now that Jane was by her side. The kiss the Italian planted on her neck resounded loud in the room, under the bright and warm light of the morning.

"What do you want to do, today? I have a few files to revise but I don't feel like working on them. It is sunny. A perfect day to spend with you. Tell me what you would like to do."

Maura raised an eyebrow as if to accompany her statement and rolled on her side – leaning up on her elbows – to look at Jane in the eyes. The brunette shrugged. Lazy days didn't exist with her wife. They always had to do something. Chilling out didn't really belong to the Isles vocabulary.

Flying trapeze? No. Maura needed to rest, hormonal injections were exhausting. Sports? No. Maura had already made enough efforts these past few weeks when attending games. Have sex? Jane squinted her eyes at such possibility. This option always showed up in her top five obviously. But the truth was that she felt like going out to enjoy whatever Boston had to offer to them. Maura's birthday dinner would be held at their house, with all the family. So in the meantime, they were free.

"I guess I have an idea..."

The honey blonde frowned, her curiosity piqued before the lack of precision. "What is it?"

"You'll see!" Jumping out of bed, Jane took her shirt off – abandoned it on the floor – then walked towards the bathroom. "Let's get ready. Come on, Maur'!"

The honey blonde blinked and looked around, slightly disarmed. "But... Jane! If you don't tell me where we are going to then I don't know what to wear!"

…

As she observed the outfit she was now wearing, Maura realized how obsolete her comment had been earlier at her place when she had complained that she didn't know what kind of clothes to choose.

Leave it to Jane to mess up with her fashion plans.

Ready, she cast a last look at her reflection in the mirror and decided to do her hair in a bun instead of the ponytail she had chosen until now. Yet would she be completely immersed? A bit unsure, she stepped out of the small room and waited timidly by the door where Jane had to appear herself. She had never done that in her whole life. It was a first. A nice one but still, apprehension prevented her from completely enjoying it for the moment.

Hopefully it would not be the case anymore when she stepped into the waters.

The Italian opened the door of her own locker room and – proud as ever – grabbed Maura's hand to walk towards the lobby; pulling all along on her outfit.

"This stuff is really like a second skin but a freaking annoying one."

"Why it is a wetsuit, Jane. Have you never worn one before?" Innocent question, followed by a surprised silence as she saw the brunette shake her head. "Really?"

Jane shrugged. "Why no, sorry... I never needed one until now."

She had gone snorkeling a few times already but in a random swimsuit; in clear waters, warm ones. Yet perhaps this wetsuit was the solution to her issue with the coldness of the ocean. An odd beach attire – especially in the middle of August – but at least she would spend less time trying desperately to enter the waters.

But there was no beach whatsoever for the moment. Only a big pool where James – the instructor – was waiting for them.

With the same enthusiasm as Miranda and Alison in Punta Cana, the young man clasped his hands as both women made it by his side.

"Perfect! Are you feeling okay with the wetsuits?"

Unconvinced nods.

"Grand. So before going in the waters, I need to tell you more about turtles and tortoises... If only so you know with what kind of animals you are about to spend the next two hours. Do you have any knowledge at all regarding them?"

Jane chuckled. Poor guy. Within a minute, he would regret to have asked such question in presence of Wikipedia Maura.

The brunette took a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair she hadn't bothered to tie. "All I can say is that African tortoises are very fond of cats."

James frowned, confused by the remark. "Excuse me?"

Motioning at her wife, Jane smirked. "She owns a tortoise... Bass is his name. One of his best pals at home is a cat named Coco Loco."

But instead of laughing at the explanation, the man opened wide eyes in excitement and paid more attention to Maura. To the point of forgetting Jane completely. "Really? That is so cool!"

The honey blonde nodded enthusiastically. "It is, right? Bass has been my companion for an impressive amount of years, now."

Jane frowned, pouted. Two nerds for the price of one. Awesome.

Three hours later – while sipping an iced coffee at the bar of the aquarium – Maura rolled her eyes and burst out laughing before her wife's reaction.

"You are the most jealous person in the entire world, Jane!"

The brunette scoffed – kept on pouting as she had done for the past couple of hours – and crossed her arms on her chest like a child in the middle of a whim.

"You were flirting with him. How am I supposed to react, exactly?"

Maura shook her head and rolled her eyes. "I was not flirting – neither was he – as we were just bonding over our mutual love for tortoises. He even introduced us to his wife, do you really think he would have done that if he had wanted to get laid with me?"

The expression took Jane aback. Maura usually didn't say such things. It was neither bad nor good, just surprising.

"Maybe he wanted to make us sign up for a four-way or something, who knows... After all, he is a complete stranger!"

Eye roll. "This is ridiculous. Hilarious yet ridiculous. Nobody was flirting with anyone. We simply hit it off over a subject. Thanks to you." Maura grabbed her wife's hand and held it tight. "It has to be the best birthday present I have ever got so far."

The compliment in disguise made Jane blush and smile. As a matter of fact, it was not really a birthday present. She had planned something else.

Bonding with turtles and tortoises was an odd last-minute plan as she had remembered that she needed to feed Bass.

"Really?" Timid hoarse voice, ghost of a smile.

Enthusiastic nod. "Yes. I will never forget it. Thank you so, so much. I really mean it."

Jane grabbed her glass and shrugged, laughing lightly. "I'm pretty cool as a wife, aren't I?"

"You are the best one." Pause. "I don't know many wives who would offer me two hours in the company of such smart and good-looking guy."

Jane's reaction in three, two, one...

"Maura!"

Smirk. How easy it was to play with Jane, at times. Without any warning, the scientist stood up - her chair being moved loudly on the floor - and bent over to plan a suggestive kiss on her wife's mouth. In front of a dozen of tourists who were probably staring at them as she hadn't stood up very discreetly.

Yet she couldn't care less about it.

"You are the one, Jane. You are the only one and will always be."